IC: EVENT

[bossman]

A TERRIBLE THING IS HAPPENING

reference books detailing myths and legends stolen from libraries...
wikipedia pages wiped clean from the face of the internet...
ancient stained glass windows smashed and destroyed...
historical research centers burnt to the ground...

Someone out there is trying very, very hard to erase all of the possible sources of power and belief of the ancient gods and goddesses. And it hurts. Whilst the powers of the minders are unharmed by the attacks, the gods and goddesses will be certainly feeling the toll: it's now painfully clear that even the simplest of miracles are now becoming almost impossible to perform.

deities, you had better have gifted your minders with some decent blessings! Because now you're going to rely on them more than ever. Someone is out to get you.

Comments

[ecclesiastes]

[ He's right. Daniel snorts instead. ]

I can think of something you might find even sadder.

[ One hand stretches out toward the bed, and a large diamondback slithers over and up until it's draped around his shoulders. ]

Knowing that two mortals who might not even be one of those horror fanatics are still at full strength and might be the only reason you live through this.

[ He strokes the head of the snake. ]

Sad, isn't it?

[colubri]

[A challenge, is it. Astaroth isn't particularly moved or deterred by his minder's words; he'll just have to bank on the sympathy card even harder.]

No. [Another snake is sliding over his thighs to curl in his lap. He looks down at it as he speaks, idly tracing his fingers over the patterns of its scales.] I don't find it sad at all. Both of you were chosen for a reason, after all.

[ecclesiastes]

[ He doesn't resist the urge to grind his teeth this time. ]

Horror fanatics. They might have the right idea when it comes to you.

[colubri]

Maybe. [Once again, he pretends not to notice, keeping his attention visibly focused on the snakes in his lap and around his shoulders.]

Theirs is closer than others, at the very least. I'm a character in Japan, you know — did you know that? Some busty blue-skinned girl with horns and pointed tail who never wears enough clothing to pack it all in. That is how my name is kept alive these days, through a fetishized mascot designed to push merchandise. Or something like that. Compared to that, anyway, I think you might be right.

[ecclesiastes]

[ There's a pause. That... was not a mental image he needed. ]

How did that get started?

[colubri]

[Oh, good. That's some enjoyment Astaroth can gain from this conversation.]

It's Japan. Fetishized mascots of inappropriate subjects is just par for the course, really.

[ecclesiastes]

Excuse me for not having a great deal of knowledge when it comes to Japanese pop culture.

[ He knows Pokemon come from there? He thinks. ]

[colubri]

Well, now you know enough.

[He coaxes the snake out of his lap again to shift his position on the bed, drawing his knees just close enough to his chest to keep from looking too childish. He's sure he can still take advantage of the situation, but since his typical sympathy-maxing techniques are all but useless on his minders, he'd prefer to preserve his dignity instead.]

I could use a Tom Collins right now.

[ecclesiastes]

Is that a request?

[ Really, if it'll shut him up... ]

[colubri]

[It probably will, if his weakened state equates to a weaker tolerance for alcohol.]

Please.

[ecclesiastes]

All right.

[ He quietly instructs the snakes to keep Astaroth in the room for his own good before moving to the door. ]

[colubri]

[It would take quite a lot to make Astaroth even consider leaving the room at the moment, so that shouldn't be any trouble. For now he's content to just curl up even further on the bed, calling the snakes closer to himself.]